Chapter 13: A Quiet Morning
The next morning felt like waking up in an entirely different universe.
Sunlight poured brilliantly through the floor-to-ceiling windows of their hotel penthouse, casting a warm, golden glow over the pristine white sheets of the master bed. The terror and darkness of the night before felt like a fading nightmare.
May you like
Leo sat cross-legged in the middle of the massive bed, wearing oversized hotel pajamas. He was aggressively attacking a plate of syrup-drenched pancakes while a cartoon blared cheerfully on the television. He looked entirely unbroken.
At the kitchen island, Sarah leaned back against Julian’s chest. He wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his chin comfortably on her shoulder. They watched Leo laugh at the TV, the sound sweeter than any symphony. They sipped hot black coffee in the quiet, sunlit room. The adrenaline had finally washed away, leaving only the profound, beautiful peace of knowing their family was finally, truly safe.
